13.07.2018Bayer 04

Werkself start football-specific preparations

The Bayer 04 players are on the ball again. After the official end to the summer break last Thursday, Heiko Herrlich led out his players for the second session on the training ground at the BayArena on Friday afternoon: Following the performance tests for the pros and a session on Saturday, the Bayer 04 head coach arranged a three-day bike tour and then gave his players two days off. With the clear aim of his players being well and truly up for the pre-season.

In summer temperatures, Herrlich had to manage without five players in World Cup finalist Tin Jedvaj, Germany international Julian Brandt (holiday), Lukas Hradecky (wisdom tooth operation), Charkes Aranguiz (rehab training after slight knee injury) and Panos Retsos (hand injury) – nevertheless, there were 21 outfield players and three goalkeepers on the training ground. To start with, Lars Bender, Mitchell Weiser and Co. worked on coordination drills on the ball before the Werkself first team players split into pairs for crosses and shots at goal. The most accurate duo were were Kevin Volland and Julian Baumgartlinger ahead of Sven Bender and Dominik Kohr.

"Tomorrow we'll start on different moves," announced Heiko Herrlich ahead of the forthcoming training sessions at the weekend (Saturday, 10.30 and 16.00 CET plus Sunday at 10.30 CET) five days before the first friendly at SV Rossbach/Verscheid (18 July, 18.00 CET). The pre-season is now finally underway.

Related News

Business - 06.01.2026

Bayer 04 and transport provider wupsi expand long-standing partnership

The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.

Bayer 04 - 04.01.2026

AFCON blog: Ben Seghir and Kofane to meet in quarter-finals

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Bayer 04 - 03.01.2026

Bayer 04’s new year schedule: Open training session on 4 January

After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.

Bayer 04 - 02.01.2026

December Goal of the Month: Vote now for Martin Terrier!

After being nominated for the Bundesliga Goal of the Year 2025, Martin Terrier's wonderful strike for the opener against FC Köln is now also up for selection for the ARD Sportschau Goal of the Month award for December 2025. Bayer 04 fans have until 19:00 CET on 10 January to vote for the French forward.